“It was decided this afternoon to nominate Marcelo Queiroga,” Bolsonaro said to supporters in front of the presidential palace in Brasilia. “I have known him for a few years. He is not a person I have known for a few days. He has everything to do a good job, following everything that Pazuello has done until today.”
Pazuello acknowledged on Monday that a “replacement” was underway, but emphasized that it was not his idea. “I didn’t ask to leave, nor will I. It is not my character. When the president asks, we will make a correct transition as is tradition, ”he added.
Queiroga will choose his work team and a transition will take place “in a week or two,” said Bolsonaro.
“Mr. Marcelo Queiroga is much more knowledgeable on the health issue, he is going to take measures to decrease the number of people who die from this disease that is affecting the whole world,” said Bolsonaro.
Another cardiologist, Ludhmila Rajjar, told CNN affiliate CNN Brasil that she was approached for work, but declined. She was invited by Bolsonaro to the Presidential Palace on Saturday, and spoke to him for hours on two occasions, she said.
“We had two days of conversation, but unfortunately it is not the time for me to be a minister, mainly for technical reasons. I am a doctor, a scientist (…) This is above any ideology, any expectation that is not guided by science, “said Hajjar.
Bolsonaro, who has long minimized the severity of the virus, also defended the use of unproven drugs, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, to cure Covid-19, despite several studies showing that they are not effective. He also pressured local authorities to avoid blockages and restrictive measures, defending the health of the economy.
His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brazil’s health ministry has experienced a turbulent leadership streak since the beginning of the pandemic.
Prime Minister of Health Luiz Henrique Mandetta, a doctor who advocated measures of social distance, was dismissed by Bolsonaro in April 2020 for disagreements over the country’s pandemic strategy.
Hajjar was considered for the position at the time, but was passed over by oncologist Nelson Teich, who resigned less than a month ago due to disagreements with Bolsonaro.
In May 2020, Teich was replaced by Pazuello, who had no previous medical experience and at the time was best known for coordinating Army troops during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and leading an operation to deal with a 2018 flow of Venezuelan migrants.